What Is A Sprinkler System Flow Sensor?
Flow sensors function like your home’s water meter, but for your sprinkler system. While your water meter measures your entire water usage for your home, your flow sensor measures only your sprinkler’s water usage and the irrigation system’s flow rate.
It is useful knowing how much water it takes to irrigate your lawn. The crucial aspect of a flow meter (which is another name for a flow sensor) is in its measurement of your sprinkler rate of flow. This device measures and sets a baseline for the average flow rate of water. Subsequently, the sensor monitors changes above and below this norm. That means the flow meter can detect leaks or clogs in the system based on the flow of water.
How it works
These devices are wired into the irrigation system controller. Paired with a WiFi-enabled, smart device compatible system like this. The flow sensor transforms from a passive alert system to an active leak detection and prevention device. When the flow meter registers a change in the flow rate, it automatically quarantines and shuts down only the area where it detected unusual flow. Whether the leak is caused by a broken head or damaged piping, the flow sensor only shuts down the affected part of the system while continuing to water other areas as normal.
The usefulness of flow sensor
This device can help save water, money, and parts of your lawn. Underwatering or overwatering can negatively impact your lawn due to damage or malfunction of the irrigation system. Rather than wait until a scheduled maintenance check to discover the system has been wasting water, a flow meter can detect system issues quickly. And with a water-smart irrigation controller, the flow meter can even prevent additional water loss and system damage.
You may want to consider including this all-important device in your next sprinkler system purchase or upgrade!